THE FORMER UKIP candidate for South Basildon and East Thurrock is set to stand as an Independent candidate.
Smith was forced to step down as the parliamentary candidate for South Basildon and East Thurrock after phone calls where he was said to have mocked gay party members as “disgusting p****ers” and referred to someone with a Chinese name as a “ch***y bird” were leaked.
Since then, Smith has left UKIP and become an independent councillor for Essex County Council as well as Basildon District Council.
UKIP has yet to select a candidate for the seat.
More to follow.
